It was the ‘A’ crew that snatched the annual cup, beating their rivals by just less than six seconds across the course as the two teams prepared for the annual Royal Navy and Royal Marine Charity field gun tournament this Saturday which takes place during the base’s open day from 9.30am.

A total of 18 crews from as far as Gibraltar are set to take part in the event which draws in around 6,000 spectators each year.

It sees the teams compete for the Brickwoods Trophy and has taken place at HMS Collingwood since the 60s.

Lieutenant Jason Steele, who is the number one trainer for the establishment’s ‘A’ crew, said: ‘The two crews have done very well today and should be proud as they’ve put in a serious amount of hours of their spare time in to get to this point.

The HMS Collingwood field gun crews A and B
Picture: Allan Hutchings (160420-036)

‘A’ team crew member Danny Hamp, 37, from Gosport, said: ‘It’s a lot of hard work in the months leading up to it but when you see the thousands and your families cheering you on as you walk out, it makes it all the better.

‘We’ve had a great season and I think we’ve got a good chance on Saturday.’